EVALUATING A MICROLEARNING INTERVENTION ABOUT NUTRITIONAL CARE FOR OLDER PEOPLE TARGETED AT NURSES

Abstract Nurses play a pivotal role in the care of older people with malnutrition or who are at risk. However, research shows that they lack the motivation to give adequate nutritional care. To change this motivation, an educational intervention targeted at nurses would be desirable. To optimize learning efficacy, we developed a microlearning intervention and conducted a first evaluation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microlearning intervention on reaction, learning and behavioral change among nurses. The evaluation was assessed with focus groups, a questionnaire, participant observations and patient records. The data was both qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Two focus groups were held with a total of seven nurses. They mostly mentioned positive experiences, stated that their knowledge about nutritional care increased and that their behavior in daily practice changed. Of the 306 participants, who received the intervention, 94 filled in the questionnaire of which 66% was satisfied with the microlearning intervention and over 69% agreed that they learned something new. Five nurses were observed while giving care to a total of twelve older care recipients. No clearly detectable changes in behavior during care moments or in reporting in patient records were observed. Nurses had a mainly positive experience with the microlearning intervention. They confirmed learning and changing behavior in daily practice. However, from observations this behavioral change was not visible. The intervention may be potentially useful in education for (future) nursing professionals. With the microlearning intervention, nurses may be better equipped to provide nutritional care to older people.

collaborative learning.Participants completed an evaluation survey that included questions about course learning objectives, engagement in learning activities, application of content to professional practice, and interprofessional learning.
The survey included open-ended questions about the most helpful aspects of each course and suggestions for changes.Evaluation data for each of the courses were collated across four cohorts.Participants represented over 10 healthcare professions.There was over 90% agreement that content met all of the learning objectives for each course.There was over 90% agreement that participants learned from other professions and engaged in interprofessional collaboration.The qualitative data indicated that learners found that the content helped them to be more intentional with their collaborative and leadership practices in their workplaces.The certificate program had a positive impact on participants' knowledge, skills, and workplace practices relating to interprofessional collaboration and leadership.This may be attributable to intentional interprofessional collaboration in both program development and learning experiences and the use of the project ECHO model.Nurses play a pivotal role in the care of older people with malnutrition or who are at risk.However, research shows that they lack the motivation to give adequate nutritional care.To change this motivation, an educational intervention targeted at nurses would be desirable.To optimize learning efficacy, we developed a microlearning intervention and conducted a first evaluation.The aim of this study was to evaluate the microlearning intervention on reaction, learning and behavioral change among nurses.The evaluation was assessed with focus groups, a questionnaire, participant observations and patient records.The data was both qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed.Two focus groups were held with a total of seven nurses.They mostly mentioned positive experiences, stated that their knowledge about nutritional care increased and that their behavior in daily practice changed.Of the 306 participants, who received the intervention, 94 filled in the questionnaire of which 66% was satisfied with the microlearning intervention and over 69% agreed that they learned something new.Five nurses were observed while giving care to a total of twelve older care recipients.No clearly detectable changes in behavior during care moments or in reporting in patient records were observed.Nurses had a mainly positive experience with the microlearning intervention.They confirmed learning and changing behavior in daily practice.However, from observations this behavioral change was not visible.The intervention may be potentially useful in education for (future) nursing professionals.
With the microlearning intervention, nurses may be better equipped to provide nutritional care to older people.
Abstract citation ID: igad104.1486The master's programs in gerontology in Israel were founded in 1999 in response to the challenges brought by extended life courses and the accompanying accelerated growth of welfare and health services for the aged.Since its beginning, thousands of students graduated from the programs and occupy central positions in the gerontological field.However, no empirical data exists on the extent of the involvement by graduates in employment in the field of aging.The current study aims to provide a first-time assessment of the experiences of graduates in Israel following their studies, as well as examine the level of preparedness to old age among graduates, since their work and study of older adults might make their own future old age more salient.We collected data using online surveys from 197 graduates of the gerontology programs.Participants were asked about their work experience in the gerontology field and about the extent to which they prepare for old age.The findings showed that most graduates (80%) currently work in the field of aging, and are overall pleased with the jobs.However, most of the graduated (68%) also reported difficulties in finding employment.Logistic regressions showed that those who currently work in aging and who graduated before less years were also less likely to make preparations for needing nursing care in old age and talking with relatives about their death.Thus, working and studying about aging could be related to being less likely to make preparations for old age.

FACTORS IMPACTING HEALTH IN OLDER ADULTS
Abstract citation ID: igad104.1487

COVID-19-ASSOCIATED HOSPITALIZATIONS AMONG ADULTS AGES ≥75 YEARS-COVID-NET, OCTOBER 2022-FEBRUARY 2023
Christopher Taylor 1 , Kadam Patel 2 , Kyle Openo 3 , H. Keipp Talbot 4 , and Fiona Havers 5 , 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Atlanta,Georgia,United States,3. Emory University,Division of Infections Diseases,Atlanta,Georgia,United States,4. Vanderbilt University Medical Center,Nashville,Tennessee,United States,5. CDC,Atlanta,Georgia,United States Older adults are at increased risk for COVID-19associated hospitalizations and other severe outcomes.Recent hospitalizations among adults ages ≥75 years were described using data from CDC's COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (COVID-NET), a population-based surveillance network of >300 acute-care hospitals across 14 U.S. states.Percentages were statistically weighted as necessary to represent the underlying population of the surveillance catchment area, unless noted.From October-December 2022, population-based hospitalization rates among adults ages ≥75 years were the highest of all age groups and ≥3 times as high as rates among the next oldest age group, adults ages 65-74 years.During that same period, adults ages ≥75 years comprised 42% (unweighted) of the 13,721 laboratory-confirmed adult hospitalizations identified in COVID-NET.Among a stratified random sample of adults ages ≥75 years (N=391), the most common underlying medical conditions present upon admission included chronic lung disease (72%), cardiovascular disease (65%), neurologic disorders including dementia (45%), and diabetes (36%).Among adults ages ≥75 years, 9% had received the updated booster and 74% were vaccinated but had not received an updated booster dose.Adults ages ≥75 years comprise an increasingly disproportionate share of COVID-19-associated hospitalizations with the majority of recent hospitalizations occurring among those who have not received an updated COVID-19 booster dose.Underlying medical conditions can increase the risk for hospitalization and other severe outcomes and are common in this group.Receipt of updated COVID-19 bivalent booster doses and early antiviral treatment to prevent hospitalization are essential for this age group.Delirium is an acute and often fluctuating change in cognitive status characterized by disorientation, disorganized thought processes and changes in perceptual and psychomotor function.The common precipitating etiologies of delirium include any acute illnesses, infections, hospitalizations, fluid or electrolyte imbalance, or medications.Neurotransmitters are synthesized from amino acids.We hypothesized that regardless of the clinical reason for delirium, a sudden imbalance of plasma amino acids might alter the level of neurotransmitters and contribute to delirium.We measured amino acids in hospitalized patients 60 or older, both genders, with delirium secondary to any infection (n=13) for a period of 3 days and compared them with healthy control, non-delirious group (n=13).Delirium was evaluated twice daily using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) test.Plasma amino acids were analyzed using LC-MS.Our results showed that level of isoleucine was significantly higher in delirious patients on day 1 (64.26 %) as compared to healthy control (43.25%, p < 0.01).The level of tryptophan was slightly lower on day 1 as compared to control (31.13 % vs 36.80%,p=NS).However, the tryptophan/isoleucine ratio on day 1 was significantly lower in delirious compared to healthy controls (49.96% vs 85.54 %, p < 0.01).The tryptophan/isoleucine rose on day 2 of delirium but was still significantly lower compared to the healthy control (59.0%vs 85.54%, Ella Cohn-Schwartz 1 , Doron Sagi 2 , and Lian Meiry 3 , 1.